Plan For Downtown Gentry Revitalization To Be Presented Early Next Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A study that addresses long-term growth potential and outlines preliminary planning ideas for the revitalization of Gentry will be presented by the School of Architecture's Community Design Center (UACDC) A 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11 at Gentry High School.

The study is the first part of a year-long analysis of the physical and economic status of Gentry. In this initial phase, the UACDC completed a thorough inventory and analysis of planning, design and infrastructure issues affecting the city. Preliminary recommendations will address a number of civic issues: improving street patterns, recommendations for improvements to the business district, potential changes to existing zoning, proposals for landscaping and site improvements and suggestions relating to improved energy utilization.

The UACDC study was initiated by Mayor Wes Hogue, the Gentry City Council and a committee of local residents interested in the long-term development of Gentry.

School of Architecture students Cary Blackwelder-Plair of Lakeland, FL, Justin Couch of Little Rock, Justin Mallett of Harrison and Eden Price of Pettigrew worked with David Evan Glasser, director of the UACDC and Sevinç Yavuz, professor of architecture, on the initial analysis.

The second part of the study will be completed in May, at the end of spring semester.

The UACDC was established by the School of Architecture in 1995 to assist Arkansas communities without the resources or staff to undertake comprehensive planning or community design studies. The Center emphasizes maintaining the quality and character of historic downtown areas, promoting local efforts to discourage sprawl and encouraging preservation of irreplaceable open space.

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Niki Himmer, School of Architecture, 575-4704, hhimmer@uark.edu